Civil rights in the United States of America

Civil rights in the United States of America

What is the most important responsibility of a citizen? A citizen must know his rights. I have always thought that Americans knew their rights. Having lived there for some time strengthened my belief even more. An average American citizen knows and values the United States (US) Constitution. The first Americans who arrived from Europe wanted political and religious liberty and economic opportunity. The first settlers valued individual rights and self-government.

The US Constitution was written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789. It is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.(1) The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly and petitioning the government.

Most Americans know their rights. From a young age they are taught their rights in high schools across the country. The Bill of Rights, which is composed of the first 10 amendments to the constitution, is the primary set of rights and freedoms for an American citizen.

The first amendment guarantees the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, right of people to peacefully assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances. It is the basis for a democratic state.

The second amendment gives the right to bear arms.

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”(2)

Americans see the Second Amendment as the basis for a democratic state and personal liberties. There are approximately 377 million guns in circulation in the US today.(3) In the light of recent mass shootings firearms have been the subject of heated debates amongst citizens. The country is divided along the partisan lines on gun issues. The Republicans support the Second Amendment but Democrats want to regulate gun laws.

The Third Amendment is described by some as “a preference for the Civilian over the Military,” the Third Amendment forbids the forcible housing of military personnel in a citizen’s home during peacetime and requires the process to be “prescribed by law” in times of war. This Amendment is not considered controversial and has never been litigated before the United States Supreme Court.

“No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”(4)

The Fourth Amendment speaks for itself: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”(5)

The rest of the Bill of Rights is in the following order: The Fifth Amendment - “Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self Incrimination, Due Process, Takings”; Sixth Amendment-“Right to Speedy Trial by Jury, Witnesses, Counsel”; Seventh Amendment-“Jury Trial in Civil Lawsuits”; Eighth Amendment-“Excessive Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment”; Ninth Amendment-“Non-Enumerated Rights Retained by People”; 10th Amendment-“Rights Reserved to States or People”(6)

According to the Human Freedom Index for 2023 US leads the world in personal, civil and economic freedoms with North America at the top of the list.(7) A Democracy can function if citizens know and demand their rights and freedoms. Americans consider the US Constitution to be the basis for what they call to be the most free country in the world. It is rights and liberties guaranteed by the US Constitution that makes the US the most free country on the planet.

Ozod Sadullaev,

Researcher

Department for US and Canadian Studies

Institute of Asian and European Studies

of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan

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